NBC plans Earl Campbell documentary for December

A long-awaited, long-deserved documentary on the life and times of Earl Campbell, the Tyler Rose, will come to television screens in December.

Earl Campbell carries the ball in 1982 during the strike-shortened season. In the nine regular season games, Campbell had just 538 yards before bouncing back for another big year in 1983. (Chronicle)

Former HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg, in association with NFL Films and NBC Sports Group, will produce a documentary on Campbell that is expected to air on NBC Sports Network. It will cover Campbell’s career from his state championship season at John Tyler through his Heisman Trophy-winning career at Texas and his Pro Football Hall of Fame days with the Oilers with a special emphasis, in these days when so much attention is paid to the health of former NFL players, to Campbell’s rehab in the wake of knee replacement surgery.

“A lot of the most poignant stories surrounding Earl Campbell took place after he retired,” Greenburg said. “He’s done vigorous rehab to climb out of that chair and walk again, and we will be incorporating a lot of those into a look back at his storied career. We’re very excited about the project.”

Greenburg expressed interest in doing a film on Campbell when he left HBO Sports last year. That caught the eye of Christian Campbell, Earl’s older son, and the parties were able to craft an agreement involving NFL Films and NBC, for whom Greenberg did his first two post-HBO projects (on the 1972 Canada-Russia hockey series and an upcoming film on Jack Nicklaus’ U.S. Open debut in 1962).

“This is overdue, and Ross is the man for the job,” Christian Campbell said. “I don’t think (Earl Campbell) is aware of how much people idolize him and how much people love him.”

Earl Campbell is frequently cited as an example of the toll that football can take on the body, so Christian Campbell is particularly eager for Greenburg to tell the story of his father’s association with Bennie Wylie, the strength and conditioning coach at Texas.

“Bennie has helped my dad a lot. He’s getting things out of my dad that very few people have been able to do,” Campbell said. “I hope people will see from the film that Earl Campbell went through a rough time but has worked like hell to get back on track. He’s getting back to where he wants to be and where he should have been, and this film will provide a great platform for people to see that.”

I never was a Oiler fan,but i always admired Earl Campbell and how awsome of a player he was in his time….I remember wishing that he played for the cowboys back then…I’m thrilled to see he’s getting the recognition he’s due….God bless Earl and his family.

There is no greater running back than the Tyler Rose. He created more excitment for Houston Oiler fans. Who can forget that Monday night game against Miami. Incredible. Thanks Earl for so many fond memories.